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Aston Martin debuts electric, all-wheel-drive DBX concept

This is like no Aston Martin you've seen before. Oh, sure, it's a coupe, and a luxury grand tourer, at that. But what's so unique about this new DBX concept is what's underneath that slick sheetmetal. Not only is this Aston all-wheel drive, it uses an all-electric powertrain. Yep, it's an Aston EV. Aston Martin says the DBX was created to "defy conventional thinking about the luxury GT segment," with CEO Andy Palmer saying, "The DBX Concept is a challenge to the existing status quo in the high luxury GT segment. It envisages a world, perhaps a world not too far away, when luxury GT travel is not only stylish and luxurious but also more practical, more family-friendly and more environmentally responsible." Powertrain wise, this is a huge departure from what we currently associate with Aston Martin. It doesn't have an engine compartment, because it's powered by electric, in-wheel motors. It has drive-by-wire electric steering, carbon ceramic brakes (okay, that sounds like Aston), a KERS energy recovery system, and cameras in place of actual mirrors (because it's a concept, of course). Design-wise, the DBX has a sort of high-riding coupe look to it, which makes its all-wheel-drive setup clearly evident. It's not super swoopy or revolutionary in terms of its design, instead perhaps more evolutionary than anything. It almost looks like it could be headed for production, even though Palmer put the kibosh on that thinking, saying, "This is, clearly, not a production-ready sports GT car, but it is a piece of fresh, bold thinking about what Aston Martin GT customers around the world could request of us in the future." In any case, it's certainly a fascinating and surprising debut from the British automaker. Check it out, above, and read more details in the press blast, below. ASTON MARTIN DBX CONCEPT CHALLENGES CONVENTION - DBX Concept redefines the luxury GT segment for the 21st Century - World debut for idea of first all-electric, all-wheel drive, Aston Martin - Sophisticated design and innovative engineering to broaden appeal 3 March 2015, Gaydon: Aston Martin today challenges the nature of luxury GT travel in the 21st Century with the debut at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show of the innovative DBX Concept. Created to defy conventional thinking about the luxury GT segment, the DBX Concept widens the appeal of the iconic British luxury brand and reaches out to a more diverse global audience than ever before.

Here's what Top Gear thinks of the Aston Martin Vulcan

With a limited run of just 24 units, the Aston Martin Vulcan isn't an easy vehicle to get your hands on. Even if you find one, the next challenge is locating a suitable track to drive it because these rare beasts aren't street legal. Top Gear (the website, not the TV show) arranged both and reported on the amazing experience of driving this rare hypercar in must-read story. Top Gear lapped the Vulcan around the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix circuit and came away thoroughly impressed. The author admits that the McLaren P1 GTR has a greater output, but driving the Aston Martin is still an incredibly visceral experience. Downshifts judder through the chassis, flames shoot from the side pipes, and the 820-horsepower V12 screams. "Five laps and I'm spent – I start to get a headache, I need to drink, sweat gathers, ears ring," the writer says. The Vulcan trains its handful of wealthy owners to be racers, but the interior still cossets them in Aston Martin's traditional luxury. As they learn the car, drivers can turn the power up from 550 hp, 675 hp, and to the full 820 hp when they feel ready. The suspension is also fully adjustable. So there's a touch of understeer out of the box, but a person can mitigate that as they gain experience. Plus, the writer claims the cabin fit and finish is marvelous. Head over to Top Gear to get the full story, it's well worth a read. Related Video:

Aston Martin trademarks DB10 through DB14

What comes after DB9? That's the big question currently surrounding Aston Martin as the British purveyor of luxury GTs prepares to replace its long-serving core model. And now we may have a clue at what the answer will be. Reports coming in from the UK indicate that Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. has applied for trademarks on a succession of model names, starting with DB10 and extending all the way up to DB14. That doesn't mean that the DB9's successor will necessarily adopt one of those, however, as word has it that some elements within the company would rather stick with the name DB9 rather than move forward, as the company has traditionally done over the years. Whatever it's ultimately called, the DB9's replacement is expected to be built on Aston's upcoming new platform that will replace the aging VH architecture. We're anticipating that it will also pack the new AMG-sourced turbo V8, and if it does, it could end up replacing both the DB9 and the V8 Vantage. The old DB7 that put the brand back on the map in 1994 and lasted until 2004 was offered with both a 3.2-liter inline-six and the brand's ubiquitous 6.0-liter V12.